Two Paid With Their Lives in Portland Trying to Stop Anti-Muslim Rant

On Saturday, several dozens of Oregonians placed wreaths at the memorial in Portland, Oregon, for two men who risked their lives to save two women from racial attacks on a commuter train.

Rick Best, 53, a war veteran and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, a college graduate fatally stabbed, while another is left injured, when they come to stop a man who allegedly began yelling anti-Muslim insults at two women in Portland, Oregon, on Friday. One of the teenagers was Muslim and wearing a hijab, while the other was black.

Fifty-three-year-old Army veteran Ricky John Best, a father of four, died at the scene, while 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, a recent college graduate, died after being transported to a local hospital. A third man, 21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher is recovering from stern wounds he received during the attack.

After the incident, these three men are being hailed as heroes.

“There are still people in Oregon who will stand up for the right thing no matter what the consequences.” Portland mayor Ted Wheeler.

The Muslim Educational Trust, a home-grown association for the Muslim community, organized a second vigil, followed by an interreligious dinner.

This act of bravery left people highly motivated and energized.

Sadaf Assadi, a fourth-year dentistry student and one of the event’s organizers, said they had planned for 400 people but about 600 came. She said many of the attendees, most likely motivated by Friday’s attack, told her: “We need more of this.”

The attacker, 35-year-old Jeremy Joseph Christian, fled the scene initially but failed to skip arresting and is currently is behind the bar on counts of aggravated murder, attempted murder, and other charges.